My GT4....it just gets better! Options

[3TST]

Apologies for the length of this post but I just wanted to share this with you.

Been doing some work on my GT4 over the holidays but, before I get on to that, here's a bit of background on the acquisition of my GT4.
This becomes relevant when you read later on.

I wasn't looking for an ST205 GT4 as I already had an ST185 GT4 albeit being prepared as a track car.
Anyway, like most people, I was just keeping an eye out on the market to see what was about and the prices.
My circumstances had changed and my truck was becoming expensive to commute in.
So I'm looking on Ebay.
What's this...a red ST205, a Classified Ad, selling on behalf of someone else, very little info., no MOT or Tax, clutch slipping, a mobile number and going cheap, infact, everything that tells you to run away!.
But not me! ...for some reason I had a feeling about it.
Anyway, after an email and phone call, a friend and I went, with truck and trailer, to Hull (@200-250 miles one way) to see the car.
We checked it over and everything was as described and seemed fine, engine ran sweet.
'Closer' inspection revealed C-ONE front strut brace, TRD discs, KYB adjustable suspension and aftermarket exhaust...(these weren't mentioned) bonus!
Turned round to my friend and said, "you have an ST205 GT4, you know how they drive/handle and what to listen for, you take it for a test drive".
I hang around and wait.
He comes back and reports that it drives and handles really well.
So, based upon his findings, I buy it for £1680.
I take it straight to the garage for a new clutch.
It turns out that it needs a new flywheel as well.
No problem, I get that done, along with a FULL service, plugs, all oils, filters, etc.
In for it's MOT...fingers crossed.
1 advisory - center section of exhaust just starting to blow.
Is that it!...result
The whole lot, parts, labour and MOT, came to just under £850.
So the car cost me just over £2500.
I was obviously very happy.

So what's the relevance of this....Well it's what else I have subsequently found.

Ok, so over the holidays, I decided to put my TRD lowering springs on my GT4.
I started at the front.
Removed the wheel...and what's this I find?
Braided brake lines...excellent!
While I'm here I'll clean them up a bit.
Hello what's this...red plastic tube round the braided line.
Give it a clean and WHAT'S THAT! marked on it...C-ONE
With a smile on my face I carry on undoing the ball joints, etc and remove the suspension.
After a bit of twisting and turning out it comes.
Ummm! KYB 4-way adjustable shocks with standard springs - Bizare combination.
Anyway, what's this?
A red ARB...is this aftermarket or is it painted, let's clean this up and see what I find.
Nothing much, except for a sticker in the middle that I can't get to or read properly.
OK, I clean everything up, fit the springs and reassemble the front suspension.
On to the back...
So I remove the wheel...and yep, after a clean up, C-ONE braided brake lines.
So I carry on removing the suspension (doing the back was soooo much easier than the front).
Oou! another red ARB...let's clean this up - um - sticker.
OH WOW! they're not painted, they're C-ONE
OMG! I can't believe it.
I had to take a break at this point, one to catch my breath and two to tear round the garden screaming and shouting C-ONE.
After this, and having regained some composure, I clean everything up, fit the springs and reassemble the rear suspension.

Took it for a test drive and WOW! what a setup.
Ride comfort is not comprised at all, if anything I find it better...and the handling is superb.
I have to confess that it's one of the best daily driver/fast road setups I've come across.

[Jeunesse]

Damn you, you lucky bastard!!!! hehehe

but... PICS OR IT DIDN"T HAPPEN

This post has been edited by Jeunesse: Jan 5, 2009 - 12:18 PM

[stephen_lee]

i think i'm gonna go kill myself. his depresses me.


















jk. you lucky, lucky man. i envy you

[zero07]

Pics please...........I hate you too. J/K

[RickJamesBish]

I hate all GT-Four owners. But good luck with it.

[Batman722]

congrats guy

[Random_Stranger]

Faaaaaaaaaaaawk my life.......... LOL You lucky Bastar! (can't get in trouble for not completing the word, right>?)

[richee3]

Oh......... my............. god.....................

[trdproven]

everytime I hear something about a gt4, it ruins my plans or my motivation to keep buying stuff. BTW Congrats sounds like a steal. Don't forget the back seat, might find a chick there too. lol.

[cheela]

I'd like to repeat everyones reply if i can. hahhahahaah
but, DAMN! have fun!

[enderswift]

lots of pics plz

[_mikeE]

Don't forget the back seat, might find a chick there too. lol.

LMAO x2 on that one.

[vsideboy]

haha see all cars in Hull are AWESOME!

nice find dude.

[3TST]

...PICS OR IT DIDN"T HAPPEN

No BS here...I only post if it happens

Quickly took some photos earlier today...sorry they're not brilliant.
It's been snowing here and the roads have been salted = white cr*p everywhere



You can just make out C-ONE written on the red tube around the brake line.



This is how the car is sitting now:

[Toyota_Celica_97]

man like everyone said "you lucky bastar" haha wish i have an GT-4, i want an gt-4

[bmj67]

The guy that sold it must have been smoking crack to sell for that cheap. I wish they made the gt4 here in the us. Anyway nice find.

[hockeyplyr24]

i hate you lol

congrats on the find

[3TST]

The guy that sold it must have been smoking crack to sell for that cheap.

Not quite...but he wasn't an enthusiast nor did he realise what he had...to him it was a Toyota Celica gt-four.
He'd bought it on the fly from a local importer for near on £4000 a year ago, ran it for a year but it turned out to be impractical....he was using it as a plumbers van
Hence the interior plastics and seats were a bit scuffed up and dirty.
(Picked up all the interior panels incl. door cards for £80 and a decent second-hand set of seats for £40 ).
We spotted the TRD discs, C-ONE front strut brace and KYB 4-way adjustable shocks when we went to look at it.
There was a warning light on the dash (rear bulb out)...but, you know how it is, ooo! could be costly, knock the price down.
Anyway, because the MOT and Road Tax had run out, the clutch was slipping plus the interior scuffs etc.
On top of the fact that he'd already bought a van and needed this out the way - it was priced to sell!
I have to say that it is the first time (in 25 years) that I've been lucky like this with a car.
Thanks for your comments and I'm sorry you hate me

[raz128]

Are you, by any chance, based near/in Reading?

[3TST]

Looks like I've been rumbled ...yer not far away.
I recognise your sig didn't we meet up at the Reading Jap Car meet, Madjeski Stadium one time?